So I tried various jobs. I worked in a restaurant, a law office, as an assistant cook, in a research firm. I won’t say none of them felt right, but I always went back to my vocation. Even until now. Through the years, I was trying to find my niche. I think I finally did.

I want so much to connect with people,  so now I’m managing a collection of blogs that help business owners reach out to their customers through various marketing techniques. It feels like comfort zone, and it feels like long term. I love the idea of being able to share my ideas to non-technical individuals (search engine optimization, social media, etc.) They may be nothing unusual but online marketing evolves so fast there’s bound to be a new idea to learn everyday.

How exciting to build an empire of knowledge in the information age.

“Anxiety neurosis is the most common form of psychoneurosis occurring among individuals of above average intelligence. Ross has defined it, as a series of symptoms, which arise from faulty adaptation to the stresses and strain of life. It is caused by over [re]action in an attempt to meet these difficulties.”

Am I neurotic? Why was I constantly getting disappointed by things that don’t happen as I wish? Why can’t I give in to the imperfections of life? Why do people constantly piss me off? Why did my husband get sick? Why can’t I smile?

I realized how much I’d been used to getting things done my way. Reality check? That’s not the way things always happen. Thank you Joe. For making things clear, and for doing me a huge favor even if you’re still recovering.

That was yesterday.

Today, the sun suddenly shone in north Texas, and warmed up to 70 degrees. I made myself busy throughout the whole morning. Again, getting things done, but without the depressed, heavy feeling.

Hey, it turned out I had cabin fever and all I needed was that little bit of sunshine. Oh what a lovely day! I cannot wait for the freaking summer to come.

When I was in college I knew educating my mind was the best thing I did for myself during the empty hours. So I read. Then, I look back, now that I’m surrounded with more books than ever before, I feel like I don’t know a single thing. Maybe Confucius is right, “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” I know that which I don’t know.

I would mosey around the library and find books that I, with wishful thinking, would grab and intend to read. Then I would think to myself “Why didn’t they just give us books that would tell us how to live our life successfully? A complete curriculum from birth till death?” That would make life so much easier, instead of groping our way through the mess. What is good and what is not? Is reading The Merry Wives of Windsor worth my time? Why can’t anybody just prescribe the right stuff?

But alas, there is no such thing. We are all doomed to experiment, to guess, to maneuver our way left and right. What I know though, is that it’s so much better to start with the classics. Always learn from people who’ve been there and done that. The next generation will look back at my work, hopefully the same way I do with the classics now. Timeless, yet full of wisdom.

I’ve done so much research for my *&(%$#@ but I loved every minute of it. I learn so much from what I’m writing about. This is one of the best excuses on being a writer. It’s like being in college, doing a term paper, except that in my case, I can relate to what I’m putting my sweat on. And maybe get paid a ton of moolah for it.

After so much information digested and hundreds of reviews read, I needed a diversion.

Enter Joe with his poker cards.

He won the last hand, heads-up, and now I get to pay him back. Lol, don’t ask what.

I’m just not used to the new schedule for the holidays. I get to wake up an hour earlier, go home an hour earlier. There’s not even a ghost peeping in sight. It’s too quiet at work. But my mind is brimming with ideas for my project…it’s impossible to sit still.

And even if no publisher will answer the query letter, I will be heard.

It’s true though. It’s a lot like saying the real essence of getting to your destination is enjoying the journey, instead of focusing on where you’re gonna land. (Although both matter.) I did enjoy the search for the perfect printer. I just wished it didn’t take me that long. LOL.

All writers know that your research matters as much as your writing task. In fact, once you’ve got all the information you need on hand, writing itself is a snap. And really, it adds up to your long term memory. When you write about something that only took you two minutes to digest, I assure you three days later you don’t even remember writing about it. Where was the learning there? Hence, true writing is getting free education in the process.

Things to Watch Out for in the Online Writing Industry Next Year

Are you ready for 2011? As an online writer myself, I had been wondering: How can I get ahead of the competition? This article won’t discuss tips on how to write well, but insights that I believe will become the online writing industry’s prevailing trends in the coming year.

Trend #1: People will use writing as a quick way to make money.

Online writers should be true to themselves. Don’t say you want to write because you want to express your thoughts. Even with this agenda in mind, you know you want to get paid for your thoughts. So the trend will continue. Professional writing is just another word for making a living using your ability to spew out readable content. I believe, however, many people still value the pleasure of writing without monetary gain.

Trend #2: Mobility is a dream for many people.

Even I agree that if I can just have my netbook or iPad with me, then I can practically work anywhere in this world. Many so-called writers envision this “freedom” (true writers can’t really explain the irony of this) of being able to write and still travel. You have to be a writer at heart to be able to achieve this. With so many distractions wherever you go, bringing your work with you and trying to accomplish a deadline while on the go is just way too difficult, if not impossible. Trust me on this experience.

Trend #3: You think you can write, but can you market?

Some popular freelance writer said that she gets paid $300 per article. Pure baloney. She would have to be in the business for eons before she can even get half of the writing population’s wage for a day. It took me a while myself to be able to spread the word about what I can do to help businesses, but what about writers who dream of getting their stories published? This is not an impossibility, but marketing talent is another story! Nowadays, in the web content market, you are competing with article producers in India who are willing to get paid a couple dollars for a 500 word article. Don’t act like you haven’t heard of it! What would you do to attract employers and not get paid pennies for your precious skills?

Trend #4: Writers need to constantly learn.

The truth is, most writers today don’t even have the time to read. Reading is so essential but it takes so much of your time. You try to work two extra jobs, finish several projects, take care of your household, and hang out with your spouse every weekend. All of these, and you still work full time. Where do you find the time to read? If only there was such thing as a maid that will organize your reading materials, whether online or just regular books and magazines, and tell you what to read when, and how long it will take. It didn’t used to be like this. With the Internet revolution exploded, we realize that valuable information is now something we can utilize anytime we want. Yes, we still go to libraries, but why waste gas when I can read the same stuff online? Whew.

Trend #5: Screw the editor.

These days, you have to be your own editor. If you don’t work in an advertising firm, you have to look at your style book. If you don’t have time to look at your style book, just watch how people write stuff on Facebook or Twitter! Regardless, you still want to keep the respect of people. You still want to know you are “writing right”. If you don’t have anyone to look at your work, please don’t rely on a spellchecker or Paper Rater. This is so incompetent. I swear that I have never used these programs. If you’re not up to the challenge of honest-to-goodness perfect writing style, study and practice everyday. Whatever skill you master, you keep it for life.

Trend #6: Find your niche skill or subject.

Seems like a cliche, but why waste your energy on a million other topics when you can focus on one and be the great master of it? It doesn’t matter how trivial, as long as it’s relevant. I’ve worked with so many companies who assigned all kinds of topics under the sun, but I can only pinpoint a few things that interest me. I figured if I focused on those things, I would probably gain an audience. I wanted very much to find the best deals wherever I go, so I created my blogs under this subject. And I love writing every minute of it!

Trend #7: Writers can be affiliates.

If you publish a magazine, naturally you would make money from advertising and subscription. Same with writing online. Don’t be upset when I say this: Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money, but you have to know a few things.

1. You have to know the products or services you are recommending.
2. You have to compare the differences between other products or services, without any bias.
3. You have to know HTML!
4. You cannot sell any product from your website unless you build an audience.
5. You have to market offline as well.

Sounds like a lot of work? It’s not over yet. Some affiliates don’t make any money till after a year of signing up for affiliate programs. Don’t be disheartened. If you truly love writing and have faith, affiliate marketing may be your salvation.

We should keep on watching out for the industry’s changing needs. The key is to be able to adapt. To me it’s a little like 15 years ago. I had mastered writing essays using the typewriter. I had barely known how to use Microsoft Word. Five years later, I started working on a web content firm. Now I have my own ezine. Keeping an eye on online writing trends means we always have to sharpen our axe and learn new things every time, all the time.

Time is just not a luxury for the majority of us.

It was not like college anymore when I had nothing else to do but to fill my empty brain with ideas from books. Now, it’s more like, let me TRY and do the same thing, but it feels like the days are shorter and the minutes are faster. There’s just so much to do, and so much to mind. And I barely even check my Facebook account! And I barely have time to talk to my mom. Each day I come up with things to do that puts the rest in my list in the backlog. Why not simplify?

Henry David Thoreau in his book “Walden” has convinced me before that life is always better when it’s simple. Lately, I kinda get the notion that this is true.

My answer is yes. Ever since I started the GOT project, I realized that I do have a knack for persuasion. However, it is not enough to say “Hey, I am better than my competitor” or “I can give you the things that your business needs.” All these claims have to be substantiated. And the only way you can substantiate your claims is to show that you are knowledgeable in what you do. In other words, you have to have to have the skill and expertise to help your clients, and you also have to prove that you care for them.

Reading Lakhani’s book has given me plenty of insights. It dawned to me that the GOT project is a learning process, and does take an unbelievably long time to wrap it up. Yet, as I read more books and learn from what I do, I start putting all the pieces in the giant puzzle of this exciting project.

I am grateful to my boss for being so understanding. The first night I only slept for three hours, still confused why I was getting rashes and itching the whole night. I had to tell the tale because it was ridiculous, even for my husband. I’m happy now that I’m healthy as before.

What’s brewing in the writing department? I have to finish my web hosting reviews, plan my next feature article for next month, update my marketing blog, and keep on reading. The funny part is when my husband constantly mentions retiring (yep, early), I was like…I don’t know?! I feel like I have not exhausted myself  yet. There’s so much more to do. As for Thanksgiving, Mom Kathy and Dad Bob better get their turkey ready!

What work are you talking about?

I think personal blogging is a luxury. This is the only time I ever get a chance to lay down, netbook on my lap, and NOT contrive my writing. Yep, all the good stuff you read that I wrote weren’t created with the snap of a finger. Even the most passionate, eloquent person needs to double check and rethink his articles.

Articles, which to me, just keep coming, now that I’m working even more for GOT. There’s so much potential and so much work to be done, I hope I’m still breathing when I’m done. But wow, I love it! I know I will enjoy the rewards in the future.

Fact is, I need to get some sleep. Forget Facebook, I’m pooped!